HB 5259

Abstract

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Adds the Refugee Social Services Article to the Code. Requires the Department of Human Services to allocate appropriated federal funds, or appropriated State funds, for refugee social services programs to each county impacted by refugee arrivals and, at the Department's discretion, to a qualified nonprofit organization, based on the number of refugees receiving aid in the county or the number of refugees who reside in the eligible county. Permits the Department to utilize funding adjustments based on the length of time that the refugees have resided in the United States. Permits the Department to allocate any federal funds from the Office of Refugee Resettlement among eligible counties and qualified nonprofit organizations consistent with federal law. Permits the Department to contract with, or award grants to, qualified nonprofit organizations for the purpose of administering refugee social services programs within a county. Requires reporting, monitoring, and audits of services funded by such contracts or grants. Provides that counties administering refugee services must designate an agency to develop and implement a plan for the provision of services funded by refugee social services funds. Set forth minimum requirements for such county plans. Contains provisions concerning extended refugee social services. Requires each refugee social services program to provide culturally appropriate and responsive case management services. Requires the Department to, in collaboration with service providers, determine outcome metrics to define program success.